Aboriginal Rock Art and Cultural Heritage Management

The Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research (GCSCR) is a broad-based humanities and social science research centre operating within Griffith University’s Arts, Education and Law Group. It is closely aligned with the School of Humanities, Languages and Social Science. Several key areas of inquiry within the Centre — history and heritage, sociology, literary studies and linguistics, and media and communications house leading scholars with international reputation and profile. The environment of the GCSCR ensures a stimulating and supportive workplace with ready access to quality mentors, research culture and facilities. The Centre offers ample opportunity for researchers to build connections with Griffith University’s broader community and to build innovative interdisciplinary initiatives.

The successful applicant will work closely with a diverse yet tight-knit group of researchers and Indigenous partner organisations in southeast Cape York Peninsula. This position is a great opportunity to be part of a large interdisciplinary team to carry out research strongly geared towards ethical engagement with Indigenous communities, tangible outcomes with both research and industry relevance, and the development of transferable and practical skills. Results will be disseminated through a range of both traditional and non-traditional channels and will have impact in the international scientific community, as well as for local communities and heritage managers. The ABM Project will thus provide many opportunities to develop wide-ranging research skills and strong networks that will prove invaluable for career development.

Depending on the exact project settled on, the supervisory team will include Chief Investigators of the ABM Project: Professor Lynley Wallis (Griffith University), Dr Jill Huntley (Griffith University), Professor Heather Burke (Flinders University), Professor Bryce Barker (University of Southern Queensland), Professor Nigel Spooner (University of Adelaide), Professor Maxime Aubert (Griffith University), Associate Professor Jon Osborn (University of Tasmania), Dr Noelene Cole (James Cook University, Wallis Heritage Consulting), Dr Tristen Jones (Sydney University) and Dr Melissa Marshall (University of Notre Dame Australia).

The selection of applicants for the award of higher degree research scholarships at Griffith University involves consideration of your academic merit and research background. To be successful within this role, you will have archaeology, cultural heritage management, conservation science, geochemistry, spatial sciences, anthropology or a cognate discipline

• Expressions of interest are welcome from domestic and international applicants.
• Applicants must have completed, or expect to complete, a bachelors degree with honours equivalent to first class honours or a Masters degree (AQF Level 9) incorporating a significant research component of a standard comparable to a bachelor honours degree or be regarded by Griffith University as having an equivalent level of attainment in accordance with Schedule One of the HDR Scholarship Procedure  archaeology, cultural heritage management, conservation science, geochemistry, spatial sciences, anthropology or a cognate discipline.  For further information on the eligibility requirements for the program refer here .
• Experience in working sensitively with cultural custodians, craftspeople/artisans from dedicated communities of practice and/or First Nations communities
• A full driver's licence (4WD experience highly valued)

International applicants should ensure that English Language Proficiency requirements for the program are met before formally applying. Applicants to research programs will need to show they meet:

The 2024 Griffith University Postgraduate Research Scholarship has an annual stipend of $33,480 (indexed) for a period of up to three years of full-time study. Please see the GUPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

A successful International applicant will also be awarded a Griffith University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to cover tuition fees for up to three years. Please see the GUIPRS Conditions of Award for more information.

As a scholarship holder, you will study with a University that ranks among the top 2% worldwide and spans across campuses in South East Queensland. At Griffith University, we’ve worked hard to create a culture that will challenge you to be curious, creative and courageous. We also support the professional and personal development of all our HDR candidates and invest in the skills of our people. Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. Griffith's strategic goals are to also increase the proportion of women in senior academic and administrative roles and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

Please do not select the “APPLY” button. All expressions of interest must be submitted to [email protected] and/or [email protected] containing:

• Statement addressing your suitability for the project/scholarship and  specific research interests
• Research proposal
• Evidence that you have completed a program with the required grades as detailed in the about you section
• A curriculum vitae (CV) using the Griffith CV template .
• Names of two referees

The closing date for expressions of interest is:  5pm  Wednesday 31 January 2024

The preferred applicant will then be invited to apply for the program and scholarship on-line